BGSU institute co-hosts conference in Morocco

BOWLING GREEN, O.—Bowling Green State University's International Democratic Education Institute (IDEI), in cooperation with the Moroccan Center for Civic Education, will hold a conference Jan. 29 and 30 in Morocco on the implications of the recommendations from King Mohammed VI's School and Civic Conduct Symposium.

The two-day conference, titled “Civic Attitudes in Practice,” will be held in Marrakech, where international experts in civic education will share their experience with approximately 100 Moroccan policy-makers and educators.

The program also kicks off the Civic Education Partnership Initiative (CEPI) program's materials-development and teacher-education activities. CEPI is a program funded by the United States Agency for International Development and the Middle East Partnership Initiative, in cooperation with the Higher Education for Development program office.

BGSU presenters will include Dr. Alden Craddock, director of IDEI and an associate professor in the School of Teaching and Learning; Dr. Nancy Patterson, an associate professor in the School of Teaching and Learning, and Dr. Jane Rosser, director of the office of Service-Learning at the University. Educators from six other nations will also give presentations, as will representatives of the Moroccan Ministry of Education and the U.S. Embassy in Morocco.

Sessions have been developed to suit the interests and needs of the different participating Moroccan groups, including plenary sessions, hands-on workshops and round-table discussions. Ultimately, an educational “white paper” on civic education in Morocco will be produced to assist and guide the conduct and development of the other components of the CEPI program.

“This conference allows us a unique opportunity to showcase the specific programs and activities of the CEPI program by bringing together students, parents, teachers, university faculty and Ministry of Education officials to discuss civic education,” Craddock said. “I believe that the involvement of the various constituent groups will allow for maximum transparency of the goals and objectives set forth by CEPI and greatly assist in the development of curricular materials that will be beneficial to all levels of Moroccan education.”

Information presented during the conference will assist with the implementation of the plans of the Moroccan Ministry of Education and the wishes of the king.

For more information about IDEI programs, visit www.bgsu.edu/idei or call the institute at 419‑372‑7325.

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(Posted January 23, 2008 )